Fire Incident on ‘Impulss’ Promptly Managed Near Baltic Wind Farm
On April 4, 2026, at around 9:25 a.m., the vessel ‘Impulss’ reported a fire in its engine room while positioned near the “Baltic 2” offshore wind farm. The location is situated east of the Danish island of Møn and northwest of the German island of Rügen. The distress call was made via the internationally recognized VHF radio distress channel 16. There were ten crew members on board the vessel at the time of the incident.
In response, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Bremen coordinated the rescue efforts. Immediate assistance was dispatched, including the lifeboat ‘Harro Koebke’ from the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) station in Sassnitz, a nearby German Federal Police patrol vessel called “Neustadt,” and another vessel operating in the wind farm area.
To enhance the rescue operation, aerial support was provided by a Danish Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter, a German SAR helicopter from the German Navy, and an offshore rescue helicopter from NHC Northern Helicopter. The crew of the ‘Impulss’ worked diligently to establish a watertight seal and utilized onboard resources to control the fire. Fortunately, the vessel remained navigable, thanks to support from the second helicopter, ensuring that all crew members were safe throughout the incident.
Successful Coordination Leads to Safe Return
Following the successful management of the fire, the ‘Impulss’ was escorted by the “Neustadt” as it set a course towards the port of Klintholm. All ten crew members were reported safe, illustrating the effective response from the involved maritime agencies. The lifeboat and the three helicopters that participated in the operation were subsequently released from duty, signifying the resolution of the emergency.
The MRCC Bremen then transferred coordination of any further actions to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Karup. By approximately 1 p.m., the ‘Impulss’ safely docked at the port of Klintholm, marking the end of a successful rescue operation. The swift actions of the crew and the coordinated efforts of various search and rescue teams played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of those on board and the containment of the fire.
